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6 | OHCC LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SERT vs Starbucks I have nothing against Starbucks. While I don't frequent the establishment very often, my wife certainly does – and likes to brag about her latest "free" drink, usually while recharging her gift card with another $50. I don't mean to single out Starbucks; I could have used Krispy Kreme, or McDonalds, but my point is, we all usually have a dollar or two in our pockets for those necessities of life. I'd like you to consider the SERT Club as also being a necessity. While the SERT Club is technically one of the many OHCC social clubs, I trust most of us realize it is much more. I believe the recently held emergency response drill has demonstrated the value of SERT's Emergency Responders and Street Captains in service to the community. These volunteers are much more than Club members; they actually spend a great deal of their retirement time making the community a better place to live. Operating the SERT Club is much like operating a small business with income and expenses. Historically, the SERT Club, like most other social clubs, receives income from a very moderate annual membership fee of $10 (although that was waived this year due to COVID). In addition, other social clubs and community organizations have donated to the SERT Club, and we gratefully thank them for their generosity. This income has, in turn, allowed SERT to provide material, equipment, and supplies to the emergency response team members and street captains that exceeds $8,000. While this spending was necessary and deliberate, it has left our remaining funds at the point where no meaningful resources can be provided until those funds are replenished. Earlier this year, the SERT Club presented its three-year operating budget to the Master Board with a request that it be funded. Although no formal response was received, based on private conversations with various Board members, it is my understanding that the request was not accepted for discussion. That decision is a topic for another day, but the consequence of that decision means there is only one other source of income, and that is us — residents of the OHCC community. The budget request sent to the Master Board was approximately $16,000, which, coincidentally, equates to about $10 per household. That said, if you believe the SERT Club provides value to your community, then it is respectfully requested that you support our ongoing mission by making a $10 donation. The SERT Club Board of Directors do not make this request lightly, nor do we take for granted that all residents believe we provide a service, but, for those of us who do, please consider making this donation. Our financial records are open – you are welcome to review what has been spent along with what we intend to spend with your support. So, while you're enjoying your Grande – NonFat - Soy – Macchiato – Frappuccino or double-glazed doughnut or a Big Mac, please consider supporting SERT with a donation. You can make a check payable to the "OHCC SERT Club" and either drop it off at the Clubhouse desk (ask that it be placed in the SERT folder) or contact SERT at ohccsert@gmail.com and request a pickup from your tube or simply make a Go-Fund- Me donation at https://gofund.me/71306f5d. Thank You for your support so we can continue to help you! P.S. If you would prefer to become a member of SERT, we would love to have you join us. The annual dues are $10. (Of course, you can still give a donation!) By Scott Lemieux, CPS Director To begin, I'd like to make a correction and clarify last month's article regarding the Knox Box Residential Rapid Access system. I committed a critical error of assuming the use of the term "master key" meant that regardless of the responding agency each "master key" was interchangeable with every Knox Box device. That is in fact NOT true. Upon an inquiry by an OHCC resident, I placed calls to all three agencies that would potentially respond to a call for emergency assistance at Ocean Hills. Each agency; Oceanside Fire Department, Vista Fire Department and Carlsbad Fire Department has its own Knox Box "Master Key" specific for their agency ONLY. Therefore, a Vista Fire "master key" will NOT work for a resident who has purchased and installed a Knox Box specific to Oceanside Fire Department. Although a majority of the emergencies here at OHCC are responded to primarily by Oceanside Fire and EMS, Vista Fire is on many occasions the dispatched agency. This would then require a resident to purchase a Knox Box for each of them. I apologize for not being more diligent in my research and for not verifying this critical information prior to submitting the article to this publication. One of the priorities of Community Patrol Services (CPS), is the safety of residents, staff and guests of Ocean Hills Country Club. Safety includes controlling access of those who are authorized to be within the gates of the community from those who are not. Safety also includes enforcement of the rules and regulations of the Home Owners Association. Community Patrol Services has a responsibility to enforce the rules that HOA members have agreed upon. Please keep that in mind when CPS officers are enforcing the rules in the community, whether that is at the Clubhouse, pool, golf course or other community facilities. CPS would prefer compliance over citations, however if there are violations to the rules, then CPS has an obligation to enforce those rules accordingly. Please do your part in helping CPS keep Ocean Hills Country Club safe and abide by the rules and regulations of your community. Community Patrol Services By John Slayton, SERT Club President

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